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Be fabric wise

Material differences

 With modern bridal fashions, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the  choice of fabrics for your wedding dress

 From luxurious silk and satin to delicate taffeta and chiffon, designers are incorporating a diverse range of fabrics in their creations, leaving today’s bride with a bounty of options.

Fabrics are chosen first and foremost for their beauty and the role they play in the design of the dress, but they are also chosen for their versatility, wearability, and comfort for the length of time they are to be worn and the weather they will be worn in. Many of the newer fabrics include fibers that help a dress maintain its shape and style through a long day. These are just a sampling of some of the more popular fabrics that are used in today’s wedding fashions:

CHARMEUSE  This lightweight fabric is soft and drapes elegantly. It is often made of silk or polyester and in addition to being smooth, it has a soft luster.

CHIFFON  Sheer and soft, chiffon is made from silk, polyester, and rayon. It is often layered or used as an overskirt over other fabrics.

ORGANZA  Another lightweight sheer fabric, organza actually has a stiff quality that gives it more structure and is perfect for overskirts and detailing on a wedding dress.

PEAU DE SOIE  This French name means “skin of silk” and represents a traditional wedding dull-lustered satin fabric that is medium to heavy in weight and drapable. The finish is popular because it is flattering to many body shapes and sizes. There are different variations in satins from shiny to subtle.

SILK DUPIONI  The distinctive luster is what makes this plain weave fabric with a more textured silk surface popular for wedding gowns. You can even hear its distinctive rustle when it is worn.

TULLE  Used extensively in bridal gowns, tulle is extremely delicate and fine and is often used as an overskirt.

WEDDING GOWN TIPS:

• Have everyone in the bridal arty try their entire ensemble on at least a week before the wedding to ensure proper fit.
• Leave ample time for alterations and have the final fitting about two weeks before the wedding- pre- wedding jitters often result in weight gain or loss right before the special day.
• Be careful getting in and out of the limousine with your dress- have your maid of honor help you. Move carefully. Watch your dress and train when you go in and out of doorways ans on escalators and elevators as well.
• Unless you're purchasing a couture gown,remember wedding gowns are custom order, no custom made. This means they are cut to a standard size and should be ordered according to your largest measurement. Ask to see the size chart and determine with your salon consultant which size Will be best for you.
• When ordering your veil, be wary of heavy detail around the edge. This can become a distracting focal point in your wedding photographs.
• Purchase comfortable fitting under-garments before your first fitting. They will make a big difference how your dress fits. Wash them by hand before your wedding to prevent chaffing.

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Choosing the perfect gown

The prettiest dress

 A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes.”-Vera Wang

Begin your search by looking at bridal magazines, looking online and attending the local fashion shows in your area. The ideas you get from the magazines and shows will give you some basis to go on when you begin your salon visits.Always set an appointment when visiting a bridal salon. Bridal gowns are not the type of garments you can simply browse through on a rack. You need the personalized attention of a specialist who can gather a handful of gowns for you to try based on your tastes, figure and budget. This will save both you and the salon staff precious time.

Always use a respected bridal salon to pur-chase your gown. Use the  Internet only for research when it comes to choosing the most important  dress of your life.

 Make your purchase from a salon known for its expertise, reliability and service in the industry. Remember this is no simple purchase. Choose a vendor you will be comfortable working with throughout the entire process—from ordering through the alterations process.

Order your gown six to 12 months in advance of your wedding. Remember that such garments are produced in lots. As manufacturers take orders from all over the country, they wait until they accumulate enough requests for a given gown to justify a “run” before cutting the fabric for the lot.

This production process saves you money, but unfortunately necessitates a long lead time in ordering.Order your bridesmaid gowns four to eight months in advance. Salons generally do not order bridesmaids dresses until all the women in your party are measured. This ensures that the gowns are cut from the same dye lot and they’ll match.

Let the salon staff guide you in selecting the right size. Sizes vary greatly according to manufacturer. NEVER order the size you hope to be by your wedding day. It is a lot easier to take a gown in than to let it out.

Ask about the price of alterations for your gown, and the scheduling of your fittings. Alterations generally run from $50 to $250 and require two to three fittings over the course of one or two months to complete.

Keep all receipts. The delivery date of the dress and headpiece should also be included on the receipt.Get all promises and estimates for alterations in writing. Expect to leave a 50% deposit when ordering. If you cancel your order, you forfeit your deposit and will be required to pay the entire cost of the dress.

A portion of the balance may be due before your gown is altered. The balance will be due upon delivery. Some shops require the balance paid in full before they begin alterations.

Most shops do not permit taking pictures of a gown until you buy it. This standard practice prevents dressmakers from copying nationally-known designers